Allied Health and Nursing Home > Dental Assisting

Dental Assisting
Diploma
Contact Information
Beverly Dalber
706-771-4178
Dr. Frank K. Poole
706-771-4179
Augusta Campus - Building 900, Room 942

Entrance Dates: Fall and Spring
Length of Program: Five Quarters
Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 91

Program Description

Instruction in the dental clinical, office management and laboratory areas and in dental specialties prepares the student for the certification test administered by the Dental Assisting National Board and subsequent employment as a dentist’s chairside assistant, or administrative assistant. Clinical competencies approved by the State of Georgia for dental assistants to perform are taught to either laboratory or clinical competency. The individual competencies and the level of competency to which they are taught are identified in course syllabi. High school graduation or GED is required for admission to this program.

The dental assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “Approval.” The Commission is a special accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at telephone number 312 440 2698 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611.

Employment Opportunities

Certified dental assistants are in great demand in our service area. Graduates should be able to obtain suitable employment with excellent working conditions.

Curriculum Outline Credits
General Core Courses 13
ENG 101 English 5
MAT 100 Basic Mathematics 3
PSY 101 Basic Psychology 5
Occupational Courses 78
AHS 104 Introduction to Health Care 3
DEN 101 Basic Human Biology 3
DEN 102 Head and Neck Anatomy 2
DEN 103 Preventive Dentistry 4
DEN 105 Microbiology and Infection Control 3
DEN 106 Oral Anatomy 5
DEN 107 Oral Pathology and Therapeutics 4
DEN 138 Scopes of Professional Practice 2
DEN 109 Dental Assisting National Board Examination Prep 3
DEN 137 Dental Assisting - Expanded Functions 4
DEN 140 Dental Assisting Management 5
DEN 139 Dental Radiology 5
DEN 134 Dental Assisting I 7
DEN 135 Dental Assisting II 7
DEN 136 Dental Assisting III 4
DEN 146 Dental Practicum I 2
DEN 147 Dental Practicum II 2
DEN 148 Dental Practicum II 8
DIS 150 Directed Independent Studies 2
SCT 100 Introduction to Microcomputers 3

Notes:

  • Students must successfully pass all prerequisite courses each quarter to progress to subsequent quarter.
  • Dental Assisting students must submit medical examination and evaluation forms and letters of recommendation prior to enrollment in clinical courses. These forms will be distributed by academic advisors.
  • A grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses.
  • A student who is not enrolled in the program for one or more quarters will be required to validate knowledge of courses with the DEN prefix completed in the previous quarters. A student who is not enrolled in the program for more than one year will be required to retake courses with the DEN prefix. A student who does not earn a grade of "C" or higher in any two courses with the AHS, DEN, and DIS prefix will not be allowed to reenter the program.
  • Prior to participation in campus/clinical labs, students are required to submit completed medical and dental examination forms. All required immunizations, including Hepatitis B, must be accompanied by documentation. Students who refuse to take the Hepatitis B vaccination series must sign a declination form and be aware that clinical practicum sites may refuse them an opportunity to gain clinical experience.
  • Conviction of a felony or gross misdemeanor may prohibit employment in field and may make a student ineligible to take licensing/certification exam(s) required for the profession. A background check may be required by some agencies before a student attends a clinical practicum. For more information, contact the appropriate program advisor.